Automatic transmission shifter assembly

ABSTRACT

A shifter assembly includes a housing, a shifter member, a movement restrictor, sensors and a positioning device. The housing has a chamber with magnetorheological fluid and an electromagnetic coil to selectively generate a plurality of levels of magnetic field densities through the magnetorheological fluid. The shifter member moves between at least a park position, a reverse position and a drive position. The movement restrictor is disposed within the chamber of the housing for movement between a first section of the chamber and a second section of the chamber. The magnetorheological fluid provides levels of movement resistance to the movement restrictor. The sensors are positioned to detect changes in position of the shifter member. The positioning device is configured to selectively position the shifter member to any of the park position, the reverse position and the drive position in response to electronic signals received by the positioning device.

BACKGROUND Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to vehicle with a shift-by-wireautomatic transmission shifter assembly. More specifically, the presentinvention relates to shifter assembly that includes a movementrestrictor configured to control resistance to movement of the shifterassembly and further provide a haptic response to a vehicle operatorwhen the shifter assembly is shifted between positions.

Background Information

Shift-by-wire transmission systems have been employed in vehicles formany years. These systems include shifter assemblies that send signalsto a controller that shifts the transmission to an appropriate settingin response to shifting changes made via the shifter assembly. In anautonomous vehicles, an electronic controller operates the vehicle,including shifting of the transmission. In such autonomous vehicles, theshifter assembly must continue to be moved or shifted to correspond tothe setting of the automatic transmission, as set by the electroniccontroller.

SUMMARY

One object of the present disclosure is to provide a shift-by-wireautomatic transmission with a shifter assembly that can be used with anautonomous vehicle controller, and includes haptic responses to shiftermovement.

In view of the state of the known technology, one aspect of the presentdisclosure is to provide an automatic transmission shifter assembly witha housing, a shifter member, a movement restrictor, a plurality ofsensors and a positioning device. The housing defines a chamber withmagnetorheological fluid disposed therein and further includes at leastone electromagnetic coil configured to selectively generate a pluralityof levels of magnetic field densities through the magnetorheologicalfluid. The shifter member is supported to the housing for movementbetween at least a park position, a reverse position and a driveposition. The movement restrictor is connected to the shifter member formovement therewith and is disposed within the chamber of the housing formovement between a first section of the chamber and a second section ofthe chamber. The magnetorheological fluid provides one of a plurality oflevels of movement resistance to the movement restrictor during movementbetween the first section and second section of the chamber. Each of theplurality of levels of movement resistance being induced by acorresponding one of the plurality of levels of magnetic field densitiesis generated by the electromagnetic coil. The plurality of sensors arepositioned and configured to detect changes in position of the shiftermember. The positioning device is within the housing and is connected tothe shifter member. The positioning device is configured to selectivelyposition the shifter member to any of the park position, the reverseposition and the drive position in response to electronic signalsreceived by the positioning device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring now to the attached drawings which form a part of thisoriginal disclosure:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a passenger compartment of a vehicle,showing a steering column and a center console, with a shifter assemblyinstalled to the center console in accordance with a first embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional side view of the shifter assembly removedfrom the center console and the vehicle, showing a housing, a shiftermember, a movement restrictor and electromagnetic coils within chamberof the housing filled with magnetorheological fluid, and a positioningdevice, with the shifter member in a park position in accordance withthe first embodiment;

FIG. 3 is another cross-sectional side view of the shifter assemblydepicted in FIG. 2, showing the shifter member in a reverse position inaccordance with the first embodiment;

FIG. 4 is another cross-sectional side view of the shifter assemblydepicted in FIGS. 2 and 3, showing the shifter member in a driveposition in accordance with the first embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an electronic controller connected tothe sensors, the electromagnetic coils and the positioning device of theshifter assembly, and further connected to an automatic transmission, anoptional vibration device, and an autonomous vehicle controller, inaccordance with the first embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing basic initial operations of the electroniccontroller and the shifter assembly in accordance with the firstembodiment;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing basic operations of the electroniccontroller and the shifter assembly when operating in an autonomous modewhere the autonomous vehicle controller fully operating the vehicle, inaccordance with the first embodiment;

FIG. 8 is another flowchart showing basic operations of the electroniccontroller and the shifter assembly when operating in a manual modewhere a vehicle operator is manually operating the vehicle, inaccordance with the first embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional side view of a shifter assembly showing ahousing, a shifter member, a movement restrictor and electromagneticcoils within chamber of the housing filled with magnetorheologicalfluid, and a positioning device, with the shifter member in the parkposition in accordance with a second embodiment;

FIG. 10 is another cross-sectional side view of the shifter assemblyshowing the shifter member in the drive position in accordance with thesecond embodiment;

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional side view of a shifter assembly inaccordance with a third embodiment;

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional side view of a shifter assembly inaccordance with a fourth embodiment;

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional side view of a shifter assembly showing ahousing, a shifter member configured for linear movement relative to thehousing, a movement restrictor and electromagnetic coils within chamberof the housing filled with magnetorheological fluid, and a positioningdevice, with the shifter member in the park position in accordance witha fifth embodiment;

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional side view of the shifter assembly depictedin FIG. 13 showing the shifter member in the reverse position inaccordance with a fifth embodiment;

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional side view of the shifter assembly depictedin FIGS. 13 and 14 showing the shifter member in the drive position inaccordance with a fifth embodiment;

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional side view of a shifter assembly showing ahousing, a shifter member configured for linear movement relative to thehousing, a movement restrictor with an electromagnetic coil installedwithin the movement restrictor, a chamber of the housing filled withmagnetorheological fluid, and a positioning device, with the shiftermember in the park position in accordance with a sixth embodiment;

FIG. 17 is a top view of a steering column assembly that includes ashifter assembly in accordance with a seventh embodiment;

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional top view of the shifter assembly depictedin FIG. 17, showing a housing, a shifter member, a movement restrictorand electromagnetic coils within a chamber of the housing filled withmagnetorheological fluid, and a positioning device in accordance withthe seventh embodiment;

FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view of the housing of the shifter membertaken along the line 19-19 in FIG. 18, showing the chamber with one ofthe electromagnetic coils and the plurality of sensors in accordancewith the seventh embodiment;

FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional top view of a shifter assembly showing ahousing, a shifter member, a movement restrictor and an electromagneticcoil within a chamber of the housing filled with magnetorheologicalfluid, and a positioning device in accordance with an eighth embodiment;

FIG. 21 is another cross-sectional top view of the shifter assemblyshowing the shifter member in a park position with a projection thereofbeing confined by projections of the movement restrictor, the movementrestrictor being in a set or locked position in accordance with theeighth embodiment;

FIG. 22 is another cross-sectional top view of the shifter assemblydepicted in FIG. 21 showing the shifter member pivoted to a shiftingposition with the projection thereof being pulled away from theprojections of the movement restrictor, the movement restrictor being inthe set or locked position in accordance with the eighth embodiment;

FIG. 23 is still another cross-sectional top view of the shifterassembly depicted in FIGS. 21 and 22 showing the shifter member in thepark position but with the movement restrictor being in a release orshifting position allowing movement of the shifter member in accordancewith the eighth embodiment; and

FIG. 24 is cross-sectional view of the shifter assembly taken along theline 24-24 in FIG. 23 showing the shifter member in the park positionwith the protrusion of the shifter member being located between theprotrusions of the movement restrictor in accordance with the eighthembodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Selected embodiments will now be explained with reference to thedrawings. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art from thisdisclosure that the following descriptions of the embodiments areprovided for illustration only and not for the purpose of limiting theinvention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Referring initially to FIG. 1, a vehicle 10 having a passengercompartment 12 that includes an automatic transmission shifter assembly14 is illustrated in accordance with a first embodiment.

The passenger compartment 12 of the vehicle 10 includes a steeringcolumn 16 and a center console 18. The automatic transmission shifterassembly 14 (hereinafter referred to as the shifter assembly 14) isinstalled to the center console 18, but can alternatively be installedto a floor F of the vehicle 10, or, as described in an alternativeembodiment below, to the steering column 16. In the first embodiment,the shifter assembly 14 is installed to the center console 18. Adetailed description of the shifter assembly 14 is provided belowfollowing a brief description of the vehicle 10.

In the depicted embodiment, the vehicle 10 is a shift-by-wire vehicle.Specifically, the vehicle 10 includes an automatic transmission 20 (FIG.5) that shifts between, for example a parked state, reverse state, aneutral state, a drive state, and one or more fixed gear states inresponse to electronic signals, not from movement of a cable ormechanical linkage. As described in greater detail below, the shifterassembly 14 is configured to provide sensor data corresponding to adesired state of operation of the automatic transmission 20.

The automatic transmission 20 can be configured with any of a variety oftransmission configurations, such as a constant velocity arrangement, orconventional automatic transmission arrangement including clutch packsand bands that loosen and tighten around the clutch packs in response tofluid pressure for changing the state of the automatic transmission 20,in a conventional manner. Since automatic transmissions are conventionalmechanical and/or hydraulic devices, further description is omitted forthe sake of brevity.

The automatic transmission 20 operates as follows. In the parked state,the automatic transmission 20 is set such that the drive wheels (frontwheels in a front wheel drive vehicle, rear wheels in a rear wheel drivevehicle and all wheels in a four-wheel drive or all-wheel drive vehicle)are locked and rotation of the drive wheels is prevented. In the reversestate, the automatic transmission 20 is set to transmit rotary powerfrom a vehicle engine to the drive wheels such that the vehicle 10 movesin a reverse direction (backing up). In the neutral state, the drivewheels are free to rotate with no power provided from the vehicleengine. In the drive state, the automatic transmission 20 is set suchthat the drive wheels are provided with power from the vehicle engine tomove the vehicle 10 in a forward direction. In fixed gear states (suchas “low” or “1^(st)” and “2^(nd)”) the automatic transmission 20 is setto rotate the drive wheels with a fixed output ratio of the rotationalspeed from the vehicle engine to the drive wheels, in a conventionalmanner.

The vehicle 10 can also include sensors (not shown), communicationsystems (not shown), steering and braking controls (not shown) and anautonomous vehicle controller 22 (FIG. 5). The autonomous vehiclecontroller 22 is configured to engine/power plant operation, vehiclecontrol speed, control braking, steering of the vehicle 10 vehiclenavigation without the assistance of a vehicle operator. Such autonomousvehicle systems are disclosed in, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 9,448,559and 9,404,761, both assigned to Nissan North America. The disclosures ofU.S. Pat. Nos. 9,448,559 and 9,404,761, are incorporate by reference intheir entirety. Since autonomous vehicles and autonomous vehiclecontrollers such as the autonomous vehicle controller 22 areconventional systems, further description is omitted for the sake ofbrevity.

A description of the shifter assembly 14 in accordance with a firstembodiment is now provided with specific reference to FIGS. 2, 3 and 4.The shifter assembly 14 basically includes a housing 30, a shiftermember 32, a movement restrictor 34, a plurality of sensors 36 and apositioning device 38.

The housing 30 defines a chamber 40 that is at least partially orcompletely filled with magnetorheological fluid MRF. The chamber 40 hasa first section 40 a (a front section) and a second section 40 b (a rearsection). Two electromagnetic coils 42 (also referred to as electrodes)are installed within the housing 30. Specifically, one of the coils 42is installed within the first section 40 a of the chamber 40, and asecond one of the coils 42 is installed within the second section 40 bof the chamber 40. The electromagnetic coils 42 are configured toselectively generate a plurality of differing levels of magnetic fielddensities through the magnetorheological fluid MRF, as described ingreater detail below. Magnetorheological fluids respond to the presenceof a magnetic field with a corresponding increase viscosity due toalignment of iron particles suspended therein with the lines of force ofthe magnetic fields in a conventional manner. Since magnetorheologicalfluids and their response to magnetic fields are conventional and wellknown, further description is omitted for the sake of brevity.

The housing 30 further includes an opening or slot 44 along an uppersurface thereof. The slot 44 is dimensioned to allow movement of theshifter member 32. The housing further includes a seal or seal members46 that seal the slot 44 such that the magnetorheological fluid MRF isretained within the chamber 40.

The shifter member 32 is a lever that pivots about a pivot pin 48supported by the housing 30 in a conventional manner. The chamber 40 islocated within the housing 30 spaced apart from the pivot pin 48. Asshown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, the shifter member 32 pivots between aplurality of positions such as a park position (FIG. 2), a reverseposition (FIG. 3), a neutral position (not shown) and a drive position(FIG. 4) and at least one fixed gear position (not shown), such as afirst gear position. Additionally, the shifter member 32 can pivot to aneutral position (between the reverse and drive position) and a fixedgear position (adjacent to the drive position). It should be understoodfrom the drawings and the description herein that the parked position ofthe shifter member 32 corresponds to setting the automatic transmission20 to the parked state. Similarly, the reverse position of the shiftermember 32 corresponds to setting the automatic transmission 20 to thereverse state, and the drive position of the shifter member 32corresponds to setting the automatic transmission 20 to the drive state(forward motion state).

The movement restrictor 34 is rigidly and fixedly attached to theshifter member 32 for movement therewith. Movement of the shifter member32 causes corresponding movement of the movement restrictor 34 withinthe chamber 40. Specifically, the movement restrictor 34 is disposedwithin the chamber 40 and therefore moves between the first section 40 aand the second section 40 b of the chamber 40 in correspondence withmovement of the shifter member 32.

In the first embodiment, the movement restrictor 34 is an arcuatelyshaped block of material (in effect, a piston) that includes at leastone port 34 a formed therein. A center of the arcuate shape of themovement restrictor 34 coincides with the center of the pivot pin 48.The port 34 a extends from a first side of the movement restrictor 34 toa second side thereof. Hence, the port 34 a is in fluid communicationwith both the first section 40 a and the second section 40 b of thechamber 40. The seal members 46 contact an upper surface of the movementrestrictor 34 providing a seal between the movement restrictor 34 andthe slot 44 of the housing 30. Since the movement restrictor 343 has anoverall dimension (in cross-section) that is between 30% and 50% of theoverall volume of the chamber 40, movement of the movement restrictor 34causes movement of the magnetorheological fluid MRF through the port 34a. Specifically, if the movement restrictor 34 is moved part way out ofthe first section 40 a and part way into the second section 40 b of thechamber 40, the magnetorheological fluid MRF must flow through the port34 a from the second section 40 b and into the first section 40 a of thechamber 40, and vice versa.

Hence, movement of the movement restrictor 34 between the first section40 a and the second section 40 b of the chamber 40 follows an arcuatepath (about the pivot pin 48) and causes movement of themagnetorheological fluid MRF through the port 34 a. As is described ingreater detail below, activation of the coils 42 to generate anelectromagnetic field in and around the chamber 40 causes themagnetorheological fluid MRF to exhibit an increase in viscosity (themagnetorheological fluid MRF becomes thicker and resists movement).Hence, when the coils 42 have been activated, a vehicle operator willexperience a greater level of resistance when moving the shifter member32.

The movement restrictor 34 includes a sensor member 50 mounted on oralong a lower surface of the movement restrictor 34 and is described ingreater detail below.

A lower end of the chamber 40 is sealed by a sensor plate 52 that isnon-movably fixed within the housing 30. The sensor plate 52 has anarcuate shape with a center of the arcuate shape of the sensor plate 52coinciding with the center of the pivot pin 48. An upper surface of thesensor plate 52 is positioned adjacent to the lower surface of themovement restrictor 34.

The plurality of sensors 36 are mounted to the sensor plate 52 atpredetermined spaced apart locations along the upper surface thereof asshown in FIGS. 2-4. The plurality of sensors 36 include a park sensor 36a, a reverse sensor 36 b, a neutral sensor 36 c, a drive sensor 36 d anda fixed gear sensor 36 e.

The sensors 36 are positioned and configured to detect changes inposition of the sensor member 50 and hence changes in position of theshifter member 32. Specifically, when the shifter member 32 is moved,the movement restrictor 34 and the sensor member 50 move with theshifter member 32. As the sensor member 50 to, from or past any one oradjacent pairs of the sensors 36, the movement of the sensor member 50is detected by the sensors 36. Response to detection of movement of thesensor member 50 and the shifter member 32 is described in greaterdetail below.

The positioning device 38 is fixedly attached to the housing 30. Thepositioning device 38 is, for example. a stepper motor or hydraulicdevice that is configured to accurately and precisely position andre-positioned an attached mechanical object, such as the shifter member32. Since such positioning devices are conventional devices, furtherdescription is omitted for the sake of brevity.

In the depicted embodiment, the positioning device 38 is disposed withinthe housing 30 below the chamber 40 and the sensor plate 52. Further,the positioning device 38 is located between the pivot pin 48 and thechamber 40. More specifically, the positioning device 38 is locatedbelow the chamber 40 and above the pivot pin 48. The positioning device38 is operatively connected to the shifter member 32. Specifically, thepositioning device 38 is configured to selectively position the shiftermember 32 to any of the park position, the reverse position and thedrive position in response to electronic signals received by thepositioning device 38 in a manner described in greater detail below.

As shown in FIG. 5, portions of the shifter assembly 14 areelectrotonically connected to an electronic controller 56 that isdisposed within the vehicle 10. Specifically, each of the plurality ofsensors 36 (36 a, 36 b, 36 c, 36 d and 36 e) are connected to thecontroller 56; the positioning motor 38 is connected to the controller56; and the electromagnetic coils 42 are connected to the controller 56.Further, the controller 56 is also electronically connected to theautomatic transmission 20, an autonomous vehicle interface 22 a that isfurther connected to the autonomous vehicle controller 22, and anoptional vibration device 58. In other words, the electronic controller56 (hereinafter referred to as a controller 56) is in electroniccommunication with the sensors 36, the positioning motor 38, theelectromagnetic coils 42, the automatic transmission 20, the autonomousvehicle interface 22 a (and the autonomous vehicle controller 22) andthe optional vibration device 58.

FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 are flowcharts that outline one example of basic logicused by the controller 56. In FIG. 6, at step S1, the controller 56starts up, for instance, when the vehicle 10 is started and movement ofthe vehicle 10 is anticipated. The controller 56 then moves to step S2,where the controller 56 determines whether or not the vehicle 10 isbeing operated in a self-driving or autonomous vehicle mode. At step S2,if the controller 56 determines that the vehicle 10 is operating or tobe operated in the autonomous vehicle mode, then operation moves to stepS3, and thereafter to the logic presented in FIG. 7.

At step S2, if the controller 56 if the controller 56 determines thatthe vehicle 10 is not operating in the autonomous vehicle mode, thenoperation moves to step S4. At step S4, the controller 56 determineswhether or not the vehicle 10 is operating or to be operated in themanual mode where a vehicle operator (a person) is operating the vehicle10. If yes, then operation moves to step S5, and thereafter to the logicpresented in FIG. 8. If no, then operation returns to step S1.

FIG. 7 shows an example of basic operational steps with the vehicle 10operating in the autonomous vehicle mode. At step S10, the controller 56determines whether or not the shifter member 32 is in an appropriateposition.

Specifically, since the vehicle 10 is self-driving in the autonomousvehicle mode, driving and operation instructions are implemented by theautonomous vehicle controller 22. When the shifter assembly 14 needs tobe operated (change the operational state of the automatic transmission20), the autonomous vehicle controller 22 receives information (forexample, sensor data) from the controller 56 via the autonomous vehicleinterface 22 a. The autonomous vehicle controller 22 determines whetheror not the shifter assembly 14 should be operated and sends appropriateinstructions to the controller 56 via the autonomous vehicle interface22.

Therefore, at step S10, the controller 56 determines whether or not theshifter member 52 is in a position corresponding to that communicated tothe controller 56 from the autonomous vehicle controller 22. If theshifter member 52 is not in the required position, then operation movesto step S11, where the controller 56 operates the positioning device 38to move the shifter member 32 to the required position as communicatedby the autonomous vehicle controller 22. Next, at step S12, thecontroller 56 sets or shifts the automatic transmission 20 to therequired setting (one of the parked state, the reverse state, theneutral state, the drive state, and one of the fixed gear states).

At step S10, if the controller 56 determines that the shifter member 52is in the required position, then operation moves to step S13. At stepS13, the controller 56 determines whether or not the vehicle status haschanged. For example, the controller 56 determines whether or not thevehicle operator has switch from the autonomous vehicle mode to themanual mode. If the vehicle status has changed, then operation returnsat step S14 to the step S1 in FIG. 6. If there has been no change invehicle status, then operation returns to step S3 for further iterationsof the logic set forth in FIG. 7.

FIG. 8 shows an example of basic operational steps with the vehicle 10operating in the manual mode. At step S20, the controller 56 determineswhether or not there has been a change in the position of the shiftermember 32 in response to vehicle operator activity. Specifically, hasthe vehicle operator moved the shifter member 32 from one position toanother position? At step S20, if the controller 56 determines that theposition of the shifter member 32 has changed, operation moves to stepS21. At Step S21, a haptic response is provided to the shifter member 32in a manner described in greater detail below. Next, operation moves tostep S22. At step S22, the controller 56 sets or shifts the automatictransmission 20 to the setting corresponding to the shifter memberposition as set by the vehicle operator. Specifically, if the shiftermember 32 has been moved to the park position (FIG. 2), the automatictransmission 20 is shifted or set to the parked state. Similarly, if theshifter member 32 has been moved to the reverse position (FIG. 3), theautomatic transmission 20 is shifted or set to the reverse state, and ifthe shifter member 32 has been moved to the drive position (FIG. 4), theautomatic transmission 20 is shifted or set to the drive state.

At step S20, if the controller 56 determines that the position of theshifter member 32 has not changed, operation moves to step S23. At stepS23, the controller 56 determines whether or not the vehicle status haschanged. For example, the controller 56 determines whether or not thevehicle has switch from the manual mode to the autonomous vehicle mode.If the vehicle status has changed, then operation returns at step S24 tothe step S1 in FIG. 6. If there has been no change in vehicle status,then operation returns to step S5 for further iterations of the logicset forth in FIG. 8.

A description is now provided for the workings of the plurality ofsensors 36, the sensor member 50 and the controller 56. The sensors 36can be any of a variety of proximity sensors. For example, the sensors36 can be configured to detect electromagnetic fields with the sensormember 50 being a permanent magnet. Alternatively, the sensors 36 can beconfigured to emit electromagnetic radiation (infrared, for example)that is reflected back by the sensor member 50 with the reflectiondetected by the sensor 36. Further, the sensors 36 can be capacitive,photoelectric or inductive type sensors. Since proximity sensors areconventional electronic devices, further description is omitted for thesake of brevity.

When the shifter member 32 is moved, the movement restrictor 34 and thesensor member 50 move as one with the shifter member 32. As shown inFIG. 2 with the shifter member 32 in the park position, the sensormember 50 is located adjacent to the park sensor 36 a. Each of the parksensor 36 a, the reverse sensor 36 b, the neutral sensor 36 c, the drivesensor 36 d and the fixed gear sensor 36 e is configured to detect thepresence of the sensor member 50. Therefore, as the sensor member 50passes by one of the sensors 36, the corresponding one of the sensors 36transmits a signal to the controller 56. Hence, the controller 56 candetermine the location of the sensor member 50 (and the location of theshifter member 32).

The sensors 36 also detect when the sensor member 50 is moving frombeing adjacent to one of the sensors 36 to an adjacent one of thesensors 36. Signals from the two adjacent sensors 36 are received by thecontroller 56. Consequently, the controller 36 determines the shiftingprocess between one shifter position and another shifter position.

As mentioned above, the magnetorheological fluid MRF responds to thepresence of a magnetic field by becoming more viscous (increasingviscosity). Put another way, the greater the magnetic field strengthinduced by the coils 42, the greater the viscosity of themagnetorheological fluid MRF. The controller 56 is configured to operatethe coils 42 at any of a predetermined levels of magnetic fieldstrengths (corresponding to differing levels of movement resistance).For example, the controller 56 can operate the coils 42 to produce a lowlevel of magnetic field strength, a medium level of magnetic fieldstrength and a maximum level of magnetic field strength. The maximumlevel of magnetic field strength can correspond to a condition wheremovement of the movement restrictor 34 is difficult, if not impossiblefor the average vehicle operator. The maximum level of magnetic fieldstrength produced by the coils 42 can prevent movement of the shiftermember 32. The low level of magnetic field strength produced by thecoils 42 can be set to retain the shifter member 32 in position, buteasily allow the vehicle operator to move the shifter member 32. Themedium level of magnetic field strength can be set to provide anincrease in resistance to movement of the shifter member 32 but stillallow the vehicle operator to move the shifter member 32.

When the controller 56 is operating in the manual mode with a vehicleoperator moving the shifter member 32 to a different position, thecontroller 56 determines that the shifter member is being moved inresponse to the signals sent by corresponding ones of the sensors 36,and can provide an optional haptic response for the benefit of thevehicle operator. In the depicted embodiment, the haptic response can beproduced by the magnetorheological fluid MRF. Specifically, as mentionedabove, the controller 56 operates the coils 42 to induce a low level ofmagnetic field strength to the magnetorheological fluid MRF to retainthe shifter member 32 in position. When the controller 56 determinesthat the shifter member 32 is being moved or shifted by the vehicleoperator, the controller 56 can increase the magnetic field produced bythe coils 42 to the medium level of magnetic field strength during themovement or shifting of the shifter member 32 mimicking the resistancefelt by a vehicle operator shifting a conventional center consoleshifter assembly. Thus, the medium level of magnetic field strengthproduced by the coils 42 can be employed to provide the haptic responseto movement of the shifter member 32.

Alternatively, the shifter member 32 can include the optional vibrationdevice 58. The controller 56 can alternatively, or additionally causethe optional vibration device 58 to vibrate thereby producing the hapticresponse and providing the vehicle operator with confirmation that theposition of the shifter member 32 is being changed by the vehicleoperator.

The controller 56 is further configured such that when the shiftermember 32 is placed in the park position (with the sensor member 50aligned with the park sensor 36 a), the automatic transmission 20 isshifted to the parked state. Further, in the parked state, if the engineof the vehicle 10 is turned off, the controller 56 increases the outputof the coils 42 to produce the maximum level of magnetic field strength,thereby locking the shifter member 32 in position.

Alternatively, the shifter assembly 14 can be provided with aconventional shifter locking mechanism (not shown) that preventsmovement of the shifter member 32 away from the park position.Specifically, the shifter member 32 can only be moved out of the parkposition when in the manual mode in response to having the engineoperating and having the vehicle operator pressing on a brake pedal.Only then is the conventional shifter locking mechanism released by thecontroller 56. In the autonomous vehicle mode, the controller 56 canrelease the conventional shifter locking mechanism (or lower the levelof magnetic field strength) and shift the shifter member 32automatically.

The controller 56 is further configured to conduct the followingoperations, as per the example logic discussed above. When the shiftermember 32 is moved to the reverse position (with the sensor member 50aligned with the reverse sensor 36 b), the automatic transmission 20 isshifted to the reverse state so that the vehicle 10 can back up. Whenthe shifter member 32 is moved to the neutral position (with the sensormember 50 aligned with the neutral sensor 36 c), the automatictransmission 20 is shifted to the neutral state so that the vehicle 10can roll freely. When the shifter member 32 is moved to the driveposition (with the sensor member 50 aligned with the drive sensor 36 d),the automatic transmission 20 is shifted to the drive state so that thevehicle 10 can move forward. When the shifter member 32 is moved to thefixed gear position (with the sensor member 50 aligned with the fixedgear sensor 36 e), the automatic transmission 20 is shifted to the drivestate so that the vehicle 10 moves with a fixed gear ratio between theengine and the automatic transmission 20.

Second Embodiment

Referring now to FIGS. 9 and 10, a shifter assembly 14′ in accordancewith a second embodiment will now be explained. In view of thesimilarity between the first and second embodiments, the parts of thesecond embodiment that are identical to the parts of the firstembodiment will be given the same reference numerals as the parts of thefirst embodiment. Moreover, the descriptions of the parts of the secondembodiment that are identical to the parts of the first embodiment maybe omitted for the sake of brevity. The parts of the second embodimentthat differ from the parts of the first embodiment will be indicatedwith a single prime (′).

The shifter assembly 14′ includes the housing 30, the shifter member 32,the plurality of sensors 36, the positioning device 38, the optionalvibration device 58 and the controller 56 (not shown in FIGS. 9 and 10)as described above with respect to the first embodiment. The housing 30includes the slot 44, the seal members 46, the pivot pin 48.

However, in the second embodiment, the housing 30 includes an arcuatesealing plate 70 that contacts and slides against the seal member 46.The arcuate sealing plate 70 is rigidly attached to the shifter member32 and moves therewith. The housing further includes a sensor plate 52′fixed in position within the housing 30. The sensors 36 are mounted tothe sensor plate 52′. The housing 30 also includes a chamber 40′ thatincludes a rigid structure fixed in position within the housing 30. Thechamber 40′ surrounds and encloses magnetorheological fluid MRF. Thechamber 40′ includes electromagnetic coils 42′ at either end thereof.

In the second embodiment, an arcuate shaped movement restrictor 34′ isrigidly attached to the shifter member 32 for movement therewithfollowing an arcuate path. The movement restrictor 34′ also extendsthrough openings in the chamber 40′ such that the movement restrictor34′ is in direct contact with the magnetorheological fluid MRF. Themovement restrictor 34′ is configured such that in response toactivation of the coils 42′, the movement restrictor 34′ experiences anincrease in resistance to movement, or when a maximum level of magneticfield density is applied, can be clamped in place (prevented frommoving) relative to the chamber 40′. The logic used by the controller 56is identical to that of the first embodiment.

Third Embodiment

Referring now to FIG. 11, a shifter assembly 114 in accordance with athird embodiment will now be explained. In view of the similaritybetween the first and third embodiments, the parts of the thirdembodiment that are identical to the parts of the first embodiment willbe given the same reference numerals as the parts of the firstembodiment. Moreover, the descriptions of the parts of the thirdembodiment that are identical to the parts of the first embodiment maybe omitted for the sake of brevity.

The shifter assembly 114 includes the housing 30, the shifter member 32,the plurality of sensors 36, the positioning device 38, the optionalvibration device 58 and the controller 56 (not shown in FIG. 11) asdescribed above with respect to the first embodiment. The housing 30includes the slot 44, the seal members 46, the pivot pin 48.

However, in the third embodiment, the housing 30 includes the arcuatesealing plate 70 (described above in the second embodiment) thatcontacts and slides against the seal members 46. The arcuate sealingplate 70 is rigidly attached to the shifter member 32 and movestherewith. The housing 30 further includes a cylinder structure 75 thatis fixed in position within the housing 30. The cylinder structure 75defines a chamber 140 that is filled with magnetorheological fluid MRF.The sensors 36 are mounted to an inner surface of the cylinder structure75 adjacent to the chamber 140. The chamber 140 includes electromagneticcoils 142 at either end thereof.

In the third embodiment, a movement restrictor 134 is disposed withinthe cylinder structure 75. The movement restrictor 134 is basically apiston that moves within the chamber 140 following a linear path. Themovement restrictor 134 is attached to the shifter member 32 formovement therewith via a connecting pin that is connected to the shiftermember 32. The movement restrictor 134 also includes ports 134 a throughwhich the magnetorheological fluid MRF can flow in response to movementof the shifter member 32 and the movement restrictor 134. The sensormember 50 is further installed to the movement restrictor 134 formovement adjacent to the sensors 36.

The ports 134 a of the movement restrictor 134 (the piston) extend froma first side of the movement restrictor 134 to a second side thereof andare dimensioned such that the magnetorheological fluid MRF flowstherethrough between a first section and a second section of the chamber140 in response to movement of the shifter member 32 and the movementrestrictor 134 (the piston) between the first section of the chamber 140and the second section of the chamber 140.

In the third embodiment, the movement restrictor 134 (the piston) andthe chamber 140 have a cylindrical shape.

The logic used by the controller 56 is identical to that of the firstembodiment.

Fourth Embodiment

Referring now to FIG. 12, a shifter assembly 114′ in accordance with afourth embodiment will now be explained. In view of the similaritybetween the first and fourth embodiments, the parts of the fourthembodiment that are identical to the parts of the first embodiment willbe given the same reference numerals as the parts of the firstembodiment. Moreover, the descriptions of the parts of the fourthembodiment that are identical to the parts of the first embodiment maybe omitted for the sake of brevity. The parts of the fourth embodimentthat differ from the parts of the first embodiment will be indicatedwith a single prime (′).

The shifter assembly 114′ includes the housing 30, the shifter member32, the plurality of sensors 36, the positioning device 38, the optionalvibration device 58 and the controller 56 (not shown in FIG. 12) asdescribed above with respect to the first embodiment. The housing 30includes the slot 44, the seal members 46 and a pivot pin 48′. The pivotpin 48′ is installed to a location that is higher within the housing 30that in the first, second and third embodiments.

Further, in the fourth embodiment, the housing 30 includes an arcuatesealing plate 70′ similar to the arcuate sealing plate 70 of the secondand third embodiments, that contacts and slides against the seal members46. The arcuate sealing plate 70′ is rigidly attached to the shiftermember 32 and moves pivotally about the pivot pin 48′ with the shiftermember 32.

The housing 30 further includes a cylinder structure 75′ that is fixedin position within the housing 30. The cylinder structure 75′ definesthe chamber 140 (same as in the third embodiment) that is filled withmagnetorheological fluid MRF. The sensors 36 are mounted to an innersurface of the cylinder structure 75′ adjacent to the chamber 140. Thechamber 140 includes electromagnetic coils 142 at either end thereof.

In the fourth embodiment (as in the third embodiment), the movementrestrictor 134 is disposed within the cylinder structure 75. Themovement restrictor 134 moves within the chamber 140 following a linearpath. The movement restrictor 134 is attached to the shifter member 32for movement therewith via a connecting pin that is connected to theshifter member 32. The movement restrictor 134 also includes the ports134 a through which the magnetorheological fluid MRF can flow inresponse to movement of the shifter member 32 and the movementrestrictor 134. The sensor member 50 is further installed to themovement restrictor 134 for movement adjacent to the sensors 36.

As in the third embodiment, the ports 134 a of the movement restrictor134 (the piston) extend from a first side of the movement restrictor 134to a second side thereof and are dimensioned such that themagnetorheological fluid MRF flows therethrough between a first sectionand a second section of the chamber 140 in response to movement of theshifter member 32 and the movement restrictor 134 (the piston) betweenthe first section of the chamber 140 and the second section of thechamber 140.

The logic used by the controller 56 is identical to that of the firstembodiment.

Fifth Embodiment

Referring now to FIGS. 13-15, a shifter assembly 214 in accordance witha fifth embodiment will now be explained. In view of the similaritybetween the first and fifth embodiments, the parts of the fifthembodiment that are identical to the parts of the first embodiment willbe given the same reference numerals as the parts of the firstembodiment. Moreover, the descriptions of the parts of the fifthembodiment that are identical to the parts of the first embodiment maybe omitted for the sake of brevity.

The shifter assembly 214 includes a housing 230 and a shifter member232. The shifter assembly 214 further includes a plurality of sensors236, the positioning device 38, the optional vibration device 58 and thecontroller 56 (not shown in FIGS. 13-15) as described above with respectto the first embodiment.

The plurality of sensors 236 include the park sensor 36 a, the reversesensor 36 b, the neutral sensor 36 c, the drive sensor 36 d and thefixed gear sensor 36 e, as described above with respect to the firstembodiment. However, the sensors 236 can optionally include a secondfixed gear sensor 36 f. Further, the controller 56 is optionallyconfigured to shift the automatic transmission 20 to a second fixed gearstate.

The housing 230 defines a chamber 240 and includes a track portion 243and a slot 244 along an upper surface of the housing 230. The shiftermember 232 includes a lower guide section 232 a and an upper leversection 232 b. The lower guide section 232 a is installed to the trackportion 243 of the housing 230 for linear sliding movement. The upperlever section 232 b extends upward through the slot 244. The sensormember 50 is installed to a lower surface of the lower guide section 232a of the shifter member 232.

The plurality of sensors 236 are mounted to an upper surface of thetrack portion 243 such that as the lower guide section 232 a of theshifter member 232 slides along the track portion 243, the sensor member50 moves above each of the sensors 36. Specifically, the shifter member232 is shown in a park position in FIG. 13, a reverse position in FIG.14 and a drive position in FIG. 15.

The chamber 240 is aligned with the track portion 243. The chamber 240includes electromagnetic coils 242 at either end thereof, and is filledwith magnetorheological fluid MRF. A movement restrictor 234 is disposedwithin the chamber 240 (a cylinder-like structure). The movementrestrictor 234 moves within the chamber 240 following a linear path. Themovement restrictor 234 is attached to the shifter member 232 via aconnecting rod for movement therewith. The movement restrictor 234 alsoincludes the ports 234 a through which the magnetorheological fluid MRFcan flow in response to movement of the shifter member 232 and themovement restrictor 234. The ports 234 a of the movement restrictor 234(a piston) extend from a first side of the movement restrictor 234 to asecond side thereof and are dimensioned such that the magnetorheologicalfluid MRF flows therethrough between a first section and a secondsection of the chamber 240 in response to movement of the shifter member232 and the movement restrictor 234 between the first section of thechamber 240 and the second section of the chamber 240.

The logic used by the controller 56 is identical to that of the firstembodiment.

Sixth Embodiment

Referring now to FIG. 16, a shifter assembly 214′ in accordance with asixth embodiment will now be explained. In view of the similaritybetween the first and sixth embodiments, the parts of the sixthembodiment that are identical to the parts of the first embodiment willbe given the same reference numerals as the parts of the firstembodiment. Moreover, the descriptions of the parts of the sixthembodiment that are identical to the parts of the first embodiment maybe omitted for the sake of brevity. The parts of the sixth embodimentthat differ from the parts of the first embodiment will be indicatedwith a single prime (′).

The shifter assembly 214′ includes the housing 230 and the shiftermember 232, as described above with respect to the fifth embodimentdepicted in FIGS. 13-15. The shifter assembly 214′ further includes theplurality of sensors 236, the positioning device 38, the optionalvibration device 58 and the controller 56 (not shown in FIGS. 13-15) asdescribed above with respect to the first embodiment.

The housing 230 defines the chamber 240 and includes the track portion243 and the slot 244 along an upper surface of the housing 230. Theshifter member 232 includes the lower guide section 232 a and the upperlever section 232 b, as described in the fifth embodiment. The lowerguide section 232 a is installed to the track portion 243 of the housing230 for linear sliding movement. The upper lever section 232 b extendsupward through the slot 244. The sensor member 50 is installed to alower surface of the lower guide section 232 a of the shifter member232.

The chamber 240 is aligned with the track portion 243. The chamber 240is filled with magnetorheological fluid MRF. A movement restrictor 234′is disposed within the chamber 240 (a cylinder-like structure). Themovement restrictor 234′ moves within the chamber 240 following a linearpath. The movement restrictor 234′ is attached to the shifter member 232via a connecting rod for movement therewith.

In the sixth embodiment, the movement restrictor 234′ has been modifiedto include a electromagnetic coils 242′. Further, the chamber 240 doesnot include any electromagnetic coils. The movement restrictor 234′includes the ports 234 a through which the magnetorheological fluid MRFcan flow in response to movement of the shifter member 232 and themovement restrictor 234′. The ports 234 a of the movement restrictor234′ (a piston) extend from a first side of the movement restrictor 234′to a second side thereof and are dimensioned such that themagnetorheological fluid MRF flows therethrough between a first sectionand a second section of the chamber 240 in response to movement of theshifter member 232 and the movement restrictor 234′ between the firstsection of the chamber 240 and the second section of the chamber 240.

The logic used by the controller 56 is identical to that of the firstembodiment.

Seventh Embodiment

Referring now to FIGS. 17-19, a shifter assembly 314 installed to asteering column assembly 316 in accordance with a seventh embodimentwill now be explained. In view of the similarity between the first andsecond embodiments, the parts of the second embodiment that areidentical to the parts of the first embodiment will be given the samereference numerals as the parts of the first embodiment. Moreover, thedescriptions of the parts of the second embodiment that are identical tothe parts of the first embodiment may be omitted for the sake ofbrevity.

The steering column assembly 316 is installed to the vehicle 10 of thefirst embodiment, replacing the steering column assembly 16. The shifter14 of the first embodiment, is eliminated in the seventh embodiment andreplaced with the shifter assembly 314 on the steering column. Thesteering column assembly 316 includes a steering wheel 316 a and asteering shaft 316 b that rotates about a steering axis A₁ the shifterassembly 314, which is installed thereto. The steering shaft 316 b isconnected to steering linkage (not shown) within the vehicle 10 in aconventional manner.

As shown in FIG. 18, the shifter assembly 314 includes a housing 330, ashifter member 332, a movement restrictor 334, the plurality of sensors36 (as in the first embodiment) and a positioning device 338.

The housing 330 of the shifter assembly 314 is installed within thesteering column assembly 316 by mechanical fasteners (not shown) but isbasically concealed with an outer cover of the steering column assembly316. The housing 330 defines a chamber 340 that is filled withmagnetorheological fluid MRF. A plurality of electromagnetic coils 342are installed within the chamber 340. The electromagnetic coils 342 areconfigured to selectively generate a magnetic field through themagnetorheological fluid MRF.

The shifter member 332 is attached to a shaft 348 that is supportedwithin the housing for pivotal movement about a second axis A₂ bybearings B₁ and B₂. In the depicted embodiment, the first axis A₁ andthe second axis A₂ are parallel to one another. However, it should beunderstood from the drawings and description herein that the first axisA₁ and the second axis A₂ can be angularly offset from one another, andin alternative embodiments need not be parallel to one another. Thebearing B₂ includes a seal (not shown) that seals the chamber 340 suchthat the magnetorheological fluid MRF is retained within the chamber340. Although not shown, the shifter member 332 can be moved or shiftedto each of a park position, a reverse position, a neutral position, adrive position and a fixed gear position, corresponding to settings ofoperation of the automatic transmission (not shown).

The movement restrictor 334 is fixed to the shaft 348 for rotation withthe shaft 348 and the shifter member 332 within the chamber 340 of thehousing 330. The movement restrictor 334 includes the sensor member 50,as described above with respect to the first embodiment. The pluralityof sensors 36 (sensors 36 a, 36 b, 36 c, 36 d and 36 e are installed toan inner surface of the chamber 340 such that as the shifter member 332is moved between the various positions (the park position, the reverseposition, the neutral position, the drive position and the fixed gearposition—not shown) the sensor member 50 is moved adjacent tocorresponding ones of the plurality of sensor member 36 in a mannerconsistent with that described above with respect to the firstembodiment. More specifically, when the shifter member 332 and hence thesensor member 50 on the movement restrictor 334 are moved to the parkposition, the sensor member 50 is located adjacent to the sensor 36 a (afirst of the plurality of sensors 36 corresponding to the parked stateof the automatic transmission 20). When the shifter member 332 and thesensor member 50 are moved to the reverse position, the sensor member 50is located adjacent to the sensor 36 b (a second of the plurality ofsensors 36 corresponding to the reverse state of the automatictransmission 20). Further, when the shifter member 332 and the sensormember 50 are moved to the drive position, the sensor member 50 islocated adjacent to the sensor 36 d (a third of the plurality of sensors36 corresponding to the drive state of the automatic transmission 20).

The movement restrictor 334 is configured to selectively restrictmovement of the shifter member 332 in response to changes in viscosityof the magnetorheological fluid MRF induced by operation of theelectromagnetic coils 342. Specifically, as the magnetic field strength,or magnetic field density of the electromagnetic coils 342 is increased,the viscosity (thickness) of the magnetorheological fluid MRF increases,restricting movement of the movement restrictor 334. Put another way,the increase in magnetic field density applied to the magnetorheologicalfluid MRF causes an increased level of friction acting on the movementrestrictor 334 which in turn acts against movement of the movementrestrictor 334.

The positioning device 338 operates in a manner consistent with thepositioning device 38 of the first embodiment. Specifically, whenoperating in the autonomous mode, the controller 56 (not shown in FIGS.17-19) operates the positioning device 338 to position the shiftermember 332 and the sensor member 50 in a position that causes theautomatic transmission 20 to shift to the desired mode of operation(reverse, drive, fixed gear, neutral or parked).

The positioning device 338 is connected to the housing 330 and connectedto the shaft 348 and hence the shifter member 332. The positioningdevice 338 is configured to selectively position the shifter member 332to any of the park position, the reverse position and the drive positionin response to electronic signals received by the controller 56. Thepositioning device 338 can be, for example, a stepper motor mechanicallyconnected to the shaft 348 such that the stepper motor moves the shaft348 and the shifter member 332 to the desired position in response to asignal from the electronic controller 56.

The logic used by the controller 56 is identical to that of the firstembodiment.

Eighth Embodiment

Referring now to FIGS. 20-24, a shifter assembly 414 in accordance witha eighth embodiment will now be explained. In view of the similaritybetween the first and eighth embodiments, the parts of the eighthembodiment that are identical to the parts of the first embodiment willbe given the same reference numerals as the parts of the firstembodiment. Moreover, the descriptions of the parts of the eighthembodiment that are identical to the parts of the first embodiment maybe omitted for the sake of brevity.

As with the shifter assembly 314 of the seventh embodiment, the shifterassembly 414 is installed to the steering column assembly 316, therebyreplacing the shifter assembly 314.

As shown in FIGS. 20-24, the shifter assembly 314 includes a housing430, a shifter member 432, a movement restrictor 434, the plurality ofsensors 36 (as in the first embodiment) and a positioning device 438.

The housing 430 of the shifter assembly 414 is installed within thesteering column assembly 316 replacing the shifter assembly 314 of theseventh embodiment.

The housing 430 defines a chamber 440 that is filled withmagnetorheological fluid MRF. At least one electromagnetic coil 442 isinstalled within the chamber 440. The chamber 440 is fixedly andnon-movably attached to the steering column assembly 316 via mechanicalfasteners (not shown). The electromagnetic coil 442 is configured toselectively generate a magnetic field through the magnetorheologicalfluid MRF.

The shifter member 432 is attached to a shaft 448 that is supported tothe steering column 316 (seventh embodiment) for pivotal movement abouta second axis A₂ by bearings B₁ and B₂. In the eighth embodiment, thefirst axis A₁ (not shown) and the second axis A₂ are parallel to oneanother. However, it should be understood from the drawings anddescription herein that the first axis A₁ and the second axis A₂ can beangularly offset from one another, and in alternative embodiments neednot be parallel to one another. The shifter member 432 can be moved orshifted to each of a park position, a reverse position, a neutralposition, a drive position and a fixed gear position, corresponding tosettings of operation of the automatic transmission (not shown).

The shifter member 432 is further pivotally connected to the shaft 448such that the shifter member 432 pivots about a pivot pin P about athird axis A₃ between a set position (FIGS. 20 and 21) and a shiftingposition (FIG. 22), as is described in greater detail below. A spring(not shown) biases the shifter member 432 to the set position shown inFIGS. 20 and 21.

The movement restrictor 434 is moveably installed within the chamber 440of the housing 330 for linear movement. A pair of springs S₁ and S₂ biasthe movement restrictor 434 toward a first position (a shiftingposition), as shown in FIG. 23. When the electromagnetic coil 442 isprovided with current to generate a magnetic field through themagnetorheological fluid MRF, the magnetorheological fluid MRF thickens(increased viscosity, and linear alignment of magnetic particles),pushing the movement restrictor 434 to a second position (a set orlocked position) shown in FIGS. 20-21 and 24.

In the second or locked position, the movement restrictor 434 ispositioned to prevent the shifter member 432 from moving out of the parkposition. Specifically, the movement restrictor 434 includes a pair ofprojections 434 a and 434 b shown in FIG. 24. Correspondingly, theshifter member 432 includes a projection 432 a. With the movementrestrictor 434 in its set position, and with the shifter member 434biased into its set or locked position (see FIGS. 20, 21 and 24) whilein the park position, the projection 432 a is trapped between theprojections 434 a and 434 b of the movement restrictor 434. With nocurrent provided to the coils 442, the magnetorheological fluid MRFbecomes more fluid allowing the springs S1 and S2 to push the movementrestrictor 434 to the first position (shifting position). Hence, withthe movement restrictor 434 (a piston) in the second position (lockedposition), the projections 434 a and 434 b extends toward the shiftermember 432 such that with the projections 434 a and 434 b of themovement restrictor 434 prevent movement of the projection 432 a and theshifter member 432, with the shifter member 432 in the park position.

In FIG. 24, the projection 432 a of the shifter member 432 is showntrapped between the projections 434 a and 434 b. This depictionrepresents the shifter member 432 in the park position. The threephantom (dashed line) depictions of the projection 432 b of the shiftermember 4432 in FIG. 24, represent the shifter member 432 (and projection432 a) moved to each of the reverse position, the neutral position andthe drive position.

As shown in FIG. 23, the movement restrictor 432 is moved via thebiasing force of the spring S₁ and S₂ such that the shifter member 432is free to undergo pivoting (shifting) movement about the second axisA₂.

As shown in FIG. 22, when the shifter member 432 is pulled by a vehicleoperator such that the protrusion 432 is moved away from the protrusions434 a and 434 b of the movement restrictor 432, the shifter member 432is free to undergo pivoting (shifting) movement about the second axisA₂.

As shown in FIGS. 20-23, a sensor plate 448 a is fixedly attached to theshaft 448 for rotation or pivoting movement therewith. The sensors 36(as described above with respect to the first embodiment) are installedto the sensor plate 448 a at spaced apart intervals radially about thesecond axis A₂ in a manner that is generally the same as the spacing andarrangement of the sensors 36 of the seventh embodiment, as shown inFIG. 19. Specifically, as the shifter member 432, the shaft 448 and thesensor plate 448 a are moved between the various shift positions, thesensor plate 448 a and the sensors 36 are moved adjacent to the sensormember 50 providing shifting signals to the controller 56, as describedin the first embodiment.

The electronic controller 56 operates in a manner consistent with thedescription above with respect to the first embodiment. Specifically,the electronic controller 56 is connected to the plurality of sensors36, the electromagnetic coil 442, the positioning device 438, thevehicle transmission 20 and the autonomous vehicle operation controller22. The electronic controller 56 is configured to operate in a manualmode and an autonomous vehicle mode.

Specifically, in the manual mode, in response to the electroniccontroller 56 detecting position changes of the shifter member 432, theelectronic controller 56 transmits corresponding signals to the vehicletransmission 20 in order to change the vehicle transmission 20 to one ofthe parked state, the reverse state and the drive state, in response todetermining that the shifter member 432 has moved to a corresponding oneof the park position, the reverse position and the drive position.

Further, in the autonomous vehicle mode, the electronic controller 56transmits signals to the coil 442 to control movement of the movementrestrictor 434 between the first position and the second position, andsends signals to the vehicle transmission 20 changing the vehicletransmission 20 to one of the parked state, the reverse state inresponse to signals from the autonomous vehicle operation controller 22and further operates the positioning device 438 to move the shiftermember 432 to a corresponding one of the park position, the reverseposition and the drive position.

The positioning device 438 operates in a manner consistent with thepositioning device 38 of the first embodiment. The positioning device438 is connected to the shaft 448 and hence the shifter member 432. Thepositioning device 438 is configured to selectively position the shiftermember 432 to any of the park position, the reverse position and thedrive position in response to electronic signals received by thecontroller 56. Simultaneously, the coil 442 can be engaged anddisengaged to allow the controller 56 to move the shifter member 432 inand out of the park position. The positioning device 438 can be, forexample, a stepper motor mechanically connected to the shaft 448 suchthat the stepper motor moves the shaft 448 and the shifter member 432 tothe desired position in response to a signal from the electroniccontroller 56.

The logic used by the controller 56 is identical to that of the firstembodiment.

The autonomous vehicle controller 22 and the electronic controller 56can be combined in a single electronic controller device, or can beseparate electronic devices or circuits that communication with onanother. Each of the autonomous vehicle controller 22 and the electroniccontroller 56 preferably includes a microcomputer with an autonomousvehicle and shifter control program that controls the vehicle 10, theautomatic transmission 20, and/or the shifter assembly 14, 14′, 114,214, 214′, 314 and 414. The controller 56 can also include otherconventional components such as an input interface circuit, an outputinterface circuit, and storage devices such as a ROM (Read Only Memory)device and a RAM (Random Access Memory) device. The microcomputer of thecontroller 56 is programmed to control the vehicle 10, the automatictransmission 20, and/or the shifter assembly 14, 14′, 114, 214, 214′,314 and 414. The memory circuit stores processing results and controlprograms such as ones for vehicle, transmission, and shifter operationthat are run by the processor circuit. The controller 56 is operativelycoupled to various components of the vehicle 10, the automatictransmission 20, and the shifter assemblies 14, 14′, 114, 214, 214′, 314and 414 in a conventional manner consistent with shift-by-wiretechnology. The internal RAM of the controller 56 stores statuses ofoperational flags and various control data. The internal ROM of thecontroller 56 stores instructions and device communication protocols forvarious operations. The controller 56 is capable of selectivelycontrolling any of the components of the control system in accordancewith the control program. It will be apparent to those skilled in theart from this disclosure that the precise structure and algorithms forthe controller 56 can be any combination of hardware and software thatwill carry out the functions of the present invention.

The various elements of the vehicle 10, other that the embodiments ofthe shifter assemblies described above, are conventional components thatare well known in the art. Since vehicle components are well known inthe art, these structures will not be discussed or illustrated in detailherein. Rather, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art fromthis disclosure that the components can be any type of structure and/orprogramming that can be used to carry out the present invention.

General Interpretation of Terms

In understanding the scope of the present invention, the term“comprising” and its derivatives, as used herein, are intended to beopen ended terms that specify the presence of the stated features,elements, components, groups, integers, and/or steps, but do not excludethe presence of other unstated features, elements, components, groups,integers and/or steps. The foregoing also applies to words havingsimilar meanings such as the terms, “including”, “having” and theirderivatives. Also, the terms “part,” “section,” “portion,” “member” or“element” when used in the singular can have the dual meaning of asingle part or a plurality of parts. Also as used herein to describe theabove embodiment(s), the following directional terms “forward”,“rearward”, “above”, “downward”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, “below” and“transverse” as well as any other similar directional terms refer tothose directions of a vehicle equipped with the vehicle automatictransmission shifter assembly. Accordingly, these terms, as utilized todescribe the present invention should be interpreted relative to avehicle equipped with the vehicle automatic transmission shifterassembly.

The term “detect” as used herein to describe an operation or functioncarried out by a component, a section, a device or the like includes acomponent, a section, a device or the like that does not requirephysical detection, but rather includes determining, measuring,modeling, predicting or computing or the like to carry out the operationor function.

The term “configured” as used herein to describe a component, section orpart of a device includes hardware and/or software that is constructedand/or programmed to carry out the desired function.

The terms of degree such as “substantially”, “about” and “approximately”as used herein mean a reasonable amount of deviation of the modifiedterm such that the end result is not significantly changed.

While only selected embodiments have been chosen to illustrate thepresent invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art fromthis disclosure that various changes and modifications can be madeherein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined inthe appended claims. For example, the size, shape, location ororientation of the various components can be changed as needed and/ordesired. Components that are shown directly connected or contacting eachother can have intermediate structures disposed between them. Thefunctions of one element can be performed by two, and vice versa. Thestructures and functions of one embodiment can be adopted in anotherembodiment. It is not necessary for all advantages to be present in aparticular embodiment at the same time. Every feature which is uniquefrom the prior art, alone or in combination with other features, alsoshould be considered a separate description of further inventions by theapplicant, including the structural and/or functional concepts embodiedby such feature(s). Thus, the foregoing descriptions of the embodimentsaccording to the present invention are provided for illustration only,and not for the purpose of limiting the invention as defined by theappended claims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. An automatic transmission shifter assembly,comprising: a housing having a pivot pin supported therein, the housingfurther defining a chamber with magnetorheological fluid disposedtherein, the housing further includes at least one electromagnetic coilconfigured to selectively generate a plurality of levels of magneticfield densities through the magnetorheological fluid; a shifter membersupported by the pivot pin to the housing for pivoting movement aboutthe pivot pin between at least a park position, a reverse position and adrive position; a movement restrictor connected to the shifter memberfor movement therewith, the movement restrictor being disposed withinthe chamber of the housing for movement between a first section of thechamber and a second section of the chamber with the magnetorheologicalfluid providing one of a plurality of levels of movement resistance tothe movement restrictor during movement between the first section andsecond section of the chamber, each of the plurality of levels ofmovement resistance being induced by a corresponding one of theplurality of levels of magnetic field densities generated by theelectromagnetic coil; a plurality of sensors positioned and configuredto detect changes in position of the shifter member; and a positioningdevice within the housing and connected to the shifter member, thepositioning device being configured to selectively position the shiftermember to any of the park position, the reverse position and the driveposition in response to electronic signals received by the positioningdevice.
 2. The automatic transmission shifter assembly according toclaim 1, further comprising: an electronic controller connected to theplurality of sensors, the at least one electromagnetic coil, thepositioning device, a vehicle transmission and an autonomous vehicleoperation controller, the electronic controller being configured tooperate in a manual mode and an autonomous vehicle mode such that: inthe manual mode, in response to the electronic controller detectingposition changes of the shifter member, the electronic controlleroperates the electromagnetic coils in order to adjust the level ofmovement resistance to the movement restrictor and the shifter member inresponse to determining that the shifter member is moving between thepark position, the reverse position and the drive position, and theelectronic controller transmits corresponding signals to the vehicletransmission in order to change the vehicle transmission to one of aparked state, a reverse state and a drive state, in response todetermining that the shifter member has moved to a corresponding one ofthe park position, the reverse position and the drive position; and inthe autonomous vehicle mode, the electronic controller transmits signalsto the vehicle transmission changing the vehicle transmission to one ofthe parked state, the reverse state and the drive state in response tosignals from the autonomous vehicle operation controller and furtheroperates the positioning device to move the shifter member to acorresponding one of the park position, the reverse position and thedrive position.
 3. The automatic transmission shifter assembly accordingto claim 2, wherein the positioning device is a stepper motormechanically connected to the shifter member such that the stepper motormoves the shifter member to one of the park position, the reverseposition and the drive position in response to a signal from theelectronic controller.
 4. The automatic transmission shifter assemblyaccording to claim 1, wherein the chamber defined within the housing isspaced apart from the pivot pin.
 5. The automatic transmission shifterassembly according to claim 4, wherein the positioning device is locatedbetween the pivot pin and the chamber.
 6. The automatic transmissionshifter assembly according to claim 1, further comprising the movementrestrictor includes a piston disposed within the chamber and attached tothe shifter member for movement therewith such that the piston is movedbetween the first section of the chamber and the second section of thechamber in response to pivoting movement of shifter member about thepivot pin, and the piston defines a port that extends from a first sideof the piston to a second side of the piston dimensioned such that themagnetorheological fluid flows therethrough between the first sectionand the second section of the chamber in response to movement of theshifter member and the piston between the first section of the chamberand the second section of the chamber.
 7. The automatic transmissionshifter assembly according to claim 6, wherein the piston has an arcuateshape and moves along an arcuate path between the first section and thesecond section of the chamber.
 8. The automatic transmission shifterassembly according to claim 6, wherein the piston has a cylindricalshape and moves along a linear path between the first section and thesecond section of the chamber.
 9. The automatic transmission shifterassembly according to claim 1, wherein the positioning device is astepper motor mechanically connected to the shifter member such that thestepper motor moves the shifter member to one of the park position, thereverse position and the drive position in response to a signal from theelectronic controller.
 10. The automatic transmission shifter assemblyaccording to claim 1, wherein the housing is configured to install to acenter console within a passenger compartment of a vehicle.
 11. Anautomatic transmission shifter assembly, comprising: a housing defininga chamber with magnetorheological fluid disposed therein, the housingfurther includes at least one electromagnetic coil configured toselectively generate a plurality of levels of magnetic field densitiesthrough the magnetorheological fluid; a shifter member supported to thehousing for movement between at least a park position, a reverseposition and a drive position, the shifter member being configured andstructured to undergo linear movement with respect to the housing; amovement restrictor connected to the shifter member for movementtherewith, the movement restrictor being disposed within the chamber ofthe housing for movement between a first section of the chamber and asecond section of the chamber with the magnetorheological fluidproviding one of a plurality of levels of movement resistance to themovement restrictor during movement between the first section and secondsection of the chamber, each of the plurality of levels of movementresistance being induced by a corresponding one of the plurality oflevels of magnetic field densities generated by the electromagneticcoil; a plurality of sensors positioned and configured to detect changesin position of the shifter member; and a positioning device within thehousing and connected to the shifter member, the positioning devicebeing configured to selectively position the shifter member to any ofthe park position, the reverse position and the drive position inresponse to electronic signals received by the positioning device. 12.The automatic transmission shifter assembly according to claim 11,wherein the housing includes a track portion, and the shifter memberincludes a base portion slidably disposed within the track portion. 13.The automatic transmission shifter assembly according to claim 12,wherein the chamber is aligned with the track portion.
 14. The automatictransmission shifter assembly according to claim 11, further comprisingthe movement restrictor includes a piston disposed within the chamberand attached to the shifter member for movement therewith such that thepiston is moved between the first section of the chamber and the secondsection of the chamber in response to pivoting movement of shiftermember, and the piston defines a port that extends from a first side ofthe piston to a second side of the piston dimensioned such that themagnetorheological fluid flows therethrough between the first sectionand the second section of the chamber in response to movement of theshifter member and the piston between the first section of the chamberand the second section of the chamber.